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February 6, 2012

Chocolate Delight

Layered dessert with chocolate pudding, cream cheese and cool whip on top of a pecan shortbread crust. Also called Better Than Sex Cake, Robert Redford Pie and 4-Layer Delight!

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My perfect day is getting to spend all day in the kitchen trying out a new recipe, perfecting an old one or just tinkering around. I tell you this because it makes what I’m about to say a little bizarre.

My all-time favorite dessert is one of those whip-it-up jobs that uses semi-prepared shortcut items like Cool Whip and instant pudding.

It never occurred to me to post this recipe because it’s so popular in my family I assumed that everybody and their dog had it. Then I was making my grocery list one day and didn't have the recipe with me so I searched online expecting to find 40’leven recipes for it… and I couldn't find it. At least not the way we make it.

There are versions of this out there but they vary greatly and I had a hard time finding one with the same pecan shortbread crust.

That and the fact that my posting a picture of it on the Facebook page resulted in you guys demanding the recipe told me I should post my family’s version of this recipe.

Chocolate delight (aka Better Than Sex Cake, Better Then Sin Cake, Chocolate Layered Dessert, 4-Layer Dessert, Robert Redford Pie and many other names, I'm sure) is a simple layered dessert that includes a pecan shortbread crust, a cheesecake-y cream cheese layer and a rich chocolate pudding layer that's all topped with whipped topping and pecans.

And seriously, I think it's the pecans that make it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

If you love layered icebox desserts like this, check out a few of these recipes too!

I made this the other night for my family and my grown daughter who was over visiting (she lives 5 houses from me) and they were a huge hit. EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE, even the picky grandson who is not a gravy fan LOVED these. a few nights later my daughter cooked them for her husband and he is now in love with this recipe. Good thing too, cause I think if my daughter had it her way, they would eat them 4+ nights a week. haha.

I was so excited to see this recipe! I was on The Country Cook's Weekend Potluck and the minute I saw youru picture, I knew it was my "Aunt Jan's Chocolate Stuff". That's what all us kids called it when we were young and sadly, she now has Alzheimer's and we cannot get the recipe. This is so delightful it truly IS a Chocolate Delight. Especially on a hot summer night! I cannot wait to introduce my husband and grandson to this lovely southern dish. Thank you!!

Awwww... you just made my day! It's such a shame when we lose family recipes... my grandmother (Nanny) made the best chicken and dumplin's but we lost the recipe when we lost her and I've never been brave enough to attempt it. Yet.

I hope you enjoy the Chocolate Delight as much as your aunt's! Thanks so much for your comments.

My mother used to make this every Christmas when we were kids. It was originally for those who did not care for pumpkin pie, but we all ended up having some of both. I have not had it since my mom was alive because I could never find a recipe due to not knowing its official name. My mom passed away 10 years ago, and this sure brought back some good memories. Thanks!!

Oh... you just made my day. Sometimes I question putting such simple recipes here (because really, this is "mixing" not "cooking") but then someone like you says something like this and I remember why I posted it. This recipe is all about family memories for me too. I'm glad you have the recipe again!

We call this "Louisiana Yummy". My dad's family is from Georgia and South Carolina. I lost my recipe when I got divorced and moved. Thank you for posting it. It was always a favorite anywhere I took it!!

LOL! I know this recipe by the name of Sex in a Pan - 'cos it is so goooood! My mother - upon hearing her young granddaughter ask, "Can I have some sex in a pan, please?" decided right then and there that it had to be renamed. She renamed it "Heaven in a Pan"! Love this stuff!

I have this recipe too....and we love it, we know it by the name of "BETTER THAN SEX " LOL....butyou can't take it to church and tell people what it is :) so we named it just "CHOCOLATE TORTE" and we have called it that ever since...my sister makes it using blueberry pie filling and it isgood also, but to me nothing beats the chocolate......just sayin............

My family always called it "Better than Sex Pie" too. However, my mom would call it "Better than Paul Newman Pie" & I would call it "Better than Some Sex Pie." I've had it made w/ Pistachio pudding & it was great too.

Ohhh! I hadn't thought of this in a while! So good! We always called it 4 Layer Delight, too. If it's not quite decadent enough (eye-roll!) you can always try pouring a can of cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer - before the chocolate layer. Mmmm!!! Well, I guess you could pour it over the chocolate layer - before the Cool Whip layer - whatever makes your tummy happiest! :) Thanks for reminding me of this!

Wish I had a dollar for every pan of this I've made! It's always delicious, and everyone loves it! We call it Chocolate Lush, and I've also used butterscotch and pistachio pudding as well. However, I've never thought of putting fruit in it! Going to have to try that too. Thanks so much for sharing this - now I need to make it again!Deb

I'm so happy to find this recipe! Came across it on Pinterest, which lead me to your sight. Love your recipes. And, you are the first person outside of me and my sister I've heard (seen) say 40'leven! Big stories called for 40'leven million! Thanks for all the great stuff you post, specially this cool, creamy chocolate stuff that I love!

This recipe was passed to me by my husband's Tennessee Mamaw. Their family calls it Holy Smoke. When my husband was little he couldn't remember that and called it Old Hickory (not sure why). Now my 7 year old doesn't know what to call it but he loves it too!!!

I've been making this recipe for the past 35 years using pistachio pudding mix and walnuts instead of pecans. we call them pistachio Squares -they are so delicious--I never thought to try chocolate! can't wait.

I've been making this recipe for over 35 years. Always a hit at family gatherings, especially with the KIDS, the only difference is, I use walnuts instead of pecans. Its a must for us chocolate lovers and pretty easy to make. TIP: heat the cream cheese just for like 30 seconds or so and it will spread over the nut crust a lot easier.

I make this using a pretzel base instead of a pecan one. I am allergic to nuts so I adjusted some things. With the pretzels I crush a med size bag of pretzels (I like mini ones, place in a zip lock bag, push all air out. Then placed that one in another zip lock bag. Find a HEAVY can of whatever you have and beat the heck out of that bag. leave some large pieces and make sure you pour all salt and small piece in the mixture)crushed, 1/2 cup if melted butter and 1/4 sugar mixed up and then patted down. Bake at 350 for 7-10 mins. Remove and let cool. Make all other layers like the above says. Yhe salt makes the sweetness of everything else so much more tasty. Also it stays crispy on the bottom even after 5 days in the fridge. Instead od the nuts on top I use shaved chocolate. I call my version "crack puddin" because you have some and it makes you want more and more. LOL.

We've always made this with pecan sandies UNTIL my husband developed diverticular disease now I use just the plain "sandies" (shortbread cookies) right next to pecan ones they're called original sandies

I hsve been making this for almost 40 yrs. and it is always a favorite. We call it Mississippi Mud Pie. An old friend who has since past away gave me this recipe with the name. I am always asked to make this by family and friends. Great recipe!

I made 2 of these this past weekend--one chocolate and one butterscotch. Sometimes I use both chocolate and butterscotch in the one pan divided by a layer of whipped topping. I always heard it called "Sex in A Pan" but at church we just call it "Heavenly Dessert".

I just found your website looking for this recipe and will share it with my two girls. I have been cooking for years (self taught) and learned so much from reading your tips. I left out the pinch of salt but never again. Thank you for sharing.

I have FINALLY found the right recipe for the crust! There is no doubt that the pinch of salt is the key to the crust, I even added a little sugar to make it more like a cookie. Lemon pudding is my families' favorite! Next time I am going to add a little almond flavoring to the crust. I wonder how that will be?

Thank you so much for this recipe. This was my dear sister's special "Chocolate Surprise" dessert from years ago. She passed away and just reading the recipe makes me so happy, thinking of her. You've made my day. I can't wait to make it and bring it to the next holiday gathering. I appreciate that you do include these simple recipes.

I have made this for many years, it started out as chocolate, then my family asked me to change it up a bit. So instead of using pecans, I use walnuts and instead of chocolate pudding I use Pistachio, it's always requested every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Give it a try I'm sure you'll enjoy it also.

It's funny that you say that because I never think it looks done either. It should look like a shortbread cookie. It shouldn't brown. If you're worried that it's not done in 25 minutes, cook for 30 but I wouldn't cook it longer than that.

I always had trouble with spreading the cream cheese layer on the crust, the crust wanted to pull up. If I gently spread the cream cheese on the crust while still warm it is much easier. I use one box of French vanilla and one box of chocolate pudding. It makes a more rich chocolate layer. I also started grating a Hershey bar on top for garnish and am surprised at how much flavor it adds.

I am making this for Thanksgiving and wondering if I can make tonight (the night before) and refrigerate? Or does it need to be made Thanksgiving morning? We are traveling about an hour tomorrow and I don't want it to be soggy when we get there!

My sister makes this every year at Thanksgiving. She showed up one year without it & after the fuss everyone put up, she never came without it again. Funny that we're a family of cooks but something so simple can be so amazing & be a favorite. I'd love to try it with pistachio pudding, YUM! I'm not a big fan of chocolate but love this. Oh, our family calls it "Holy Smoke", not sure why. I think that's what the person who have the recipe to my sister called it.

Thank you, now I am going to make it myself too, it looks delicious, someone posted the picture on facebook,and I like your recipe is simple for me to do..I was buying chocolate cream pies at Marie Calenders s but just my luck in Jan 2014 I found a small screw in the pie and hurt my theeth...so I decided to learn to make some desserts like these at home..I hope my blender wont lose a screw too...haha..thanks again..!!

In my family, this is always made with butterscotch pudding. It is also a real favorite. In fact, we just had it for Easter dinner. Please try the butterscotch version. It is so good. We,too,are a family of cooks but good is good!

I have to share (and I should be ashamed, should but I am not), this is one of my favorite desserts and I honestly believe I could sit down and eat the whole thing. Truly, the whole thing. It is such a light dessert and it is very good. Never had this recipe until I moved to the South from California. Best move of my life. lol

I feel so guilty coming late to your party, LOL! I found you today on Pinterest. It's like we grew up together!! My family loves this recipe. It was my Granny's. Now I am in charge of bringing it for Christmas. It makes my daddy so happy. He loves it made with lemon pudding, AKA "Lemon Lovers Delight". Hubby likes it best with chocolate. What I started doing is halving the recipe and making part for dad and part for hubby. Everyone is happy. Thanks for sharing!

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Thanks for posting! This is one of my favorite desserts too and my family used to make it all the time. When I made it in the past, I would mix the 2nd half of the Cool Whip with the chocolate pudding and then put pecans on top of that. It's really good that way too.

Ha Ha ! We call this White Trash cause the first time we had it was when a particular family member brought it to a potluck. Ever since then, my mama has referred to it as only "White Trash" . I don't think anyone knows the real name to the recipe but it sure is good!

This recipe brings back so many memories... over 20 years ago, when I was 16, I made this from a recipe in a magazine that called it "Chocolate Delight". I took it to church, and as a shy teenager who grew up in a very conservative home, I was utterly shocked when one of the older ladies at church told me the real name of it was "Better Than Sex"... LOL

My mama made this at Christmas. After a couple of years she started making 3 of them. So my brother and sister and myself had our own for our spouse and kids. No fighting over the dish and who got more. LOL

In our family Mississippi mud cake is totally different. It requires cooking and has coconut in it. I got this recipe as Better than sex also but some are offended by that so we call it chocolate delight

I love this recipe I have used it for over ten years. I call it my Passover cake. In the flour mixture I add mini chocolate chips, a little vanilla. After Passover if I used the recipe I just buy chocolate chip cookie dough and rolled it in the bottom of the pan. Also I top the cool whip layer with mini chocolate chips. I always make one with nuts and one without.

Oh my!! Sweet memories...I'm French and I live in France but I spent 6 years in South Carolina in the late eighties early nineties... And that's where I discovered it - it went by the name of "4 layer cake". I'm turning 40 next month, and ever since my family and I came back from Greenville, SC, my Mom makes this cake for my birthday! And this year will be no exception ;)

Hi there! While I'm not able to respond to every comment, I try hard to answer any questions that haven't been addressed in the post, recipe or in other comments. And though I may not respond to them all, I do read each and every comment and I LOVE to hear from you guys! Thanks, y'all! - Mandy